Karwar: Work of flyover being constructed on National Highway 66 (Mumbai-Mangaluru Road) is moving at snail’s pace and it’s likely to take another 18 months to complete.

As part of four-laning of NH-66, a 1.5-km-long flyover, which is first of its kind in Uttara Kannada district, has been planned from the DC’s bungalow to the RTO office in the city. Construction of pillars has already started near London Bridge, but the work is not being taken up at an expected pace.

The flyover has been planned with an aim to reduce traffic burden in the coastal city and ensure smooth movement of vehicles on the NH. The flyover will start at the end point of a tunnel and ends at the RTO office. Those who travel on his highway can experience a tunnel ride and as soon as the tunnel ends, they can see the Arabian sea form the flyover.

Earlier, there was no plan of flyover till RTO office, But following public demand, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has included it in the project report. Local MLA Satish Sail had demanded construction of a flyover till Kali bridge, but the NHAI denied the proposal and limited it till RTO office. The IRB Infrastructure is building the flyover for the NHAI.

There will be service road for entering the city. From the left-hand side service road, vehicles can get down from the tunnel side to Karwar city. The right-hand side service road connects Karwar city with the tunnel to proceed towards Ankola. For laying of this service road, the land of PWD and DDPI offices has been demolished.

According to IRB Sources, There is no land problem for the construction of flyover. The required land has already been acquired. Following continuous rain, the work has been delayed. But it gained pace for the last few days it might take at least one-and-a-half years to finish the flyover construction. As it is on the beach-side, it will consume more time, they added.